Security flaws feared in Mexico City's World Cup projects

Urban planners and mobility experts are raising alarms about potential security flaws and a lack of adequate planning in Mexico City's infrastructure projects, particularly those related to the 2026 Football World Cup.

Concerns center on the risk of incomplete or substandard work, which could endanger public safety. Jorge Feregrino, a mobility specialist and professor at FES Acatlán, stated that projects requiring a high level of security for pedestrians, if rushed, would be a mistake. He criticized the planning, noting that such endeavors require long-term programming and consideration of factors like heavy rains and flooding.

Bernardo Baranda, director for Latin America at the Institute for Transport and Development Policy (ITDP), echoed these concerns, emphasizing that delaying these projects increases the risk of them not meeting optimal quality standards. He specifically mentioned the Tlalpan Elevated Park, questioning its functionality and suggesting that resources might have been better allocated to the Metro Line 2 renovation.

Erik Carranza, an architecture specialist from Universidad La Salle, believes the Tlalpan Elevated Park was not a necessary project at this time, especially if its inauguration is tied to the World Cup. He argued that connectivity should have been prioritized at street level, considering the area's complex history. The rush to complete these projects for the sporting event, experts warn, could compromise safety and quality.